heed counsel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heed counsel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to pay attention to or follow advice or guidance from a knowledgeable source. Example: "In times of uncertainty, it is wise to heed counsel from experienced professionals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Nancy expressed through her press secretary "regrets that she failed to heed counsel's advice" on disclosing them.

Wikipedia

The present study has taken a giant step to convince us of this possibility, and unlike King Priam of Troy, we would be wise to heed counsel of those who suspected a plot.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In addition, it is difficult to tease out the importance of CHW characteristics on the quality of counselling and the likelihood that women and families will heed counselling advice, although they are probably important.

Global Health Action

Like Octavian, we should heed her counsel and prepare for the future.

The Guardian - Music

He is right, of course, but it's not hard to see why Zweig might be hesitant to heed his counsel.

The New York Times - Books

They refused to heed the counsel of experienced military leaders like Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, who insisted that a larger invasion and occupation force would be needed.

The New York Times

Cameron has pledged to use Britain's G8 presidency to tackle aggressive tax avoidance by multinationals, but is also keen to heed the counsel of his business advisory group, which he met with on Monday.

The Guardian - Business

We should heed its counsel".

Unicef

Ms. Pak chided Mr. Chiu, who won office three years ago with her help, for not heeding her counsel.

The New York Times

Both Republicans and Democrats voiced grave concerns about Mr. Bolton's nomination, but President Bush saw little value in heeding their counsel.

The New York Times

Troubled by this, Rafe sought, and heeded, the counsel of a Catholic chaplain at Camp Radcliff in resolving the dilemma of choosing between his "moral obligation," as Rafe put it to the chaplain, and "loyalty to the patrol".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heed counsel" when you want to emphasize the importance of considering advice from a knowledgeable or authoritative source. It adds a slightly more formal or literary tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "heed counsel" in overly casual contexts. While understandable, it may sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "take advice" or "listen to advice" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heed counsel" functions as a verb phrase, where "heed" is the verb meaning to pay attention to and follow, and "counsel" is the noun representing advice or guidance. It's used to urge or emphasize the importance of following advice.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "heed counsel" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the importance of following advice, as confirmed by Ludwig. While not overly common, its usage in news, science and business contexts indicates a formal or neutral tone. Consider similar phrases such as "take advice" or "follow advice" based on the context and desired formality. When writing, remember to use "heed counsel" to highlight the significance of guidance from authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take advice

Focuses on the act of receiving and following guidance.

follow advice

Emphasizes the action of acting according to the provided guidance.

take heed of advice

Adds emphasis on paying close attention to the advice given.

listen to advice

Highlights the act of paying attention to recommendations.

pay attention to advice

Stresses the importance of giving consideration to the guidance.

act on advice

Focuses on the implementation of the advice received.

consider advice

Stresses the act of thinking about and evaluating recommendations.

accept guidance

Highlights the reception and adoption of direction.

mind advice

Emphasizes remembering and considering the advice.

observe guidance

Focuses on carefully following and adhering to the provided direction.

FAQs

How can I use "heed counsel" in a sentence?

You can use "heed counsel" to emphasize the importance of following advice from a trusted source. For example, "It is wise to "heed counsel" from experienced mentors when navigating career challenges."

What are some alternatives to "heed counsel"?

Alternatives to "heed counsel" include "take advice", "follow advice", and "listen to advice". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it more appropriate to use "heed counsel" or "take advice"?

"Heed counsel" is generally more formal and emphasizes the importance of the advice, while "take advice" is more general. Choose "heed counsel" when the advice is particularly significant or comes from an authoritative figure.

When is it best to use "heed counsel" in writing?

Use "heed counsel" in formal writing, speeches, or when you wish to convey a sense of respect for the advice being given. It's suitable for situations where the source of advice is considered wise or authoritative.